The X Factor: San Antonio standouts

Really can’t say enough how much I love the production changes to “The X Factor.” It’s like a completely different show.

Wait — Simon Cowell is out sick? Why didn’t they just film when he was better? Instead, they’ve brought in U.K. judge Louie Walsh.

Also, Britney Spears looks as glazed as a donut. Sorry not sorry.

Kansas City, MO up first tonight!

Rizzloe Jones describes himself as an “A.D.D. animal.” He forgot “really dorky.” Great music name, though. The 18-year-old unleashes a fun, furious freestyle rap that isn’t half-bad. I’m not mad at him. I just think he might need to rein in the spastic energy just a bit. Louie “thinks we’ve found a pop star.” Britney call him “a young Vanilla Ice, Ice Baby.” I’m not sure if that’s good or not. (Check out his ode to Britney below.)

CeCe Frey needs to STOP. She’s trying to psych out contestants instead of cleaning that 2 a.m. leopard mess off her face. It’s like Ke$ha threw up on her.

“What’s on your face?” Demi Lovato asks. I LOVE HER SO MUCH.

Her CeCe-fied version of “Unchained Melody” is just like her. A mess. She tries again with Christina Aguilera’s “Ain’t No Other Man,” and it’s not much better. She’s off beat and off key. That song is all about timing,and she has none. Not sure what the judges are hearing, but she’s in. Ugh. Likely to cause drama with other singers. Please get rid of her soon.

Vino Alan, 39, is an unlikely candidate for superstar. He’s gruff, soft-spoken and tattooed. ALL OVER HIS HEAD. But then he sings, and all that matters is his voice. He’s pure and confident on Ray LaMontagne’s “Trouble.” Truly love the grit and spirit in his voice. An easy yes. VINOOOOO!

LOOK IT’S THE GUY THAT GETS ARRESTED. Deangelo Wallace talks and talks and talks. Then he sings a Chris Brown song, and I wish he was still talking. So bad. The judges are insulted by his glib attitude. They actually get up and leave the theater.

Deangelo dubs the judges “devil worshipers” for some unknown reason, insults Justin Bieber and leaves the building with his microphone as revenge. CALL THE COPS. He admits to stealing it on camera and is arrested. Still singing.

Tate Stevens is a red-cheeked Missouri cowboy with a solid country voice. He’s authentic, for sure, but the trick will be choosing material that doesn’t turn him into another middling genre act. I think he could be better than that.

Citizen is absolutely sure they have IT. I like that they’re doing En Vogue’s “Don’t Let Go” for their audition. Inspired choice. But the whole thing is overly rehearsed. No real energy or spirit. Simon is the only judge who sees through the flash and gives them a flat NO. And he’s right — they’re like a ’90s boy band. But the other judges prevail.

Diamond White is just 13 years old and adorable. She sounds YOUNG on “It’s a Man’s World,” but there’s some real talent there. Her energy and smile are infectious. SO ADORABLE. And we all know how well Rachel Crow did last season (EXCEPT FOR NICOLE SCHERZINGER’S HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE NON-DECISION).

San Antonio’s Ally Brooke looks the part. A bit like Demi, even. She’s not perfect on Jaci Velasquez’s “On My Knees,” but there’s something touching about her performance. Until the music stops, and she keeps singing. AND SINGING. No matter, she’s definitely got something. If they can rein her in, she could be great. (Take a listen to one of her original songs below.)

A series of quick yes-es. Brandon Hassan from Irving is just 16 but sings with a surprising maturity. Normani Hamilton works it on an Arethan Franklin classic. Sister C from Mont Belvieu brings the twang with “Hell on Heels.” Jeremiah & Josh earn high praise from Britney, who wants them to sing her awake.

Panda — yes, PANDA — is from Dallas and SO EXCITED. LOVE HER. She’s just out of the hospital with pneumonia, so you know something bad is going to happen. Onstage, she tears up some Sam Cooke. A big, bellowing voice that’s nothing short of terrific.

“You sound like a legend,” Simon says. She’s in! TEAM PANDA!

But the excitement doesn’t last. A wheezing panda is given medical attention, then sent to the hospital. GET BETTER, PANDA. WE NEED YOU.

More love for San Antonio! Jessica Espinoza closes the show with a searing take on Pink’s “Nobody Knows.” There’s grit and pain and power in her voice. Please, don’t take that away from her. The judges are right. She’s special.

Another great night, right? And I think it’s safe to say, at this point, that “The X Factor” is so much better than “The Voice.” In talent, in presentation, in pure entertainment.

5 Responses

My wife wanted to know if the whole thing with Deangelo Wallace was real, or staged for the cameras. If it was real (and I suspect it was), then dude caught himself a pretty serious felony case – and he confessed on camera!

There was so much more talent in this episode than the previous ones. I thought Tate Stevens was awesome and I hope he goes far this season. Everyone at my DISH office fell in love with Panda Ross in the end though. It was refreshing to see a night with great talent after the season started out a little lackluster. I’ve been busy with school at night so I’m watching the auditions on Prime Time Anytime on my Hopper DVR. It automatically records all the prime time shows on the four major networks for me. I want to see a country singer win this season so I’m pulling for Tate. I think he as what it takes to go a long way, but we’ll just have to wait and see.